BANGALORE: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has zeroed in on 45 mining companies, allegedly involved in the missing iron ore case from Belekeri port.
On Thursday, Deputy Superintendent of Police, BS Muddu Mahadevaiah submitted a preliminary report on the case, before the Judicial Magistrate First Court (JMFC) of Ankola, Karwar, seeking more time for the detailed report.
DGP (CID) Dr DV Guruprasad told Express that the CID had filed its first chargesheet in the JMFC, against three exporting companies, one steward and Belekeri port officer Mahesh Biliye.
Police said, Biliye is alleged to have facilitated companies to steal the seized iron ore and further export it to China.
The police said that the preliminary reports also stated that many mining companies were involved in the scam and that there was a need for a detailed probe, including on the custody of the owners and representatives of the companies.
Case history
On March 20, 2010, assistant conservator of ports, NG Hittalamakki seized five lakh tonnes of illegal iron ore — estimated to be worth `150 crore — which was being exported by various companies.
Hittalamakki, later, handed over the seized iron ore to the port conservator Mahesh Biliye. Meanwhile, Hittalamakki, who inspected the seized material, again on June 2, found around two tonnes of ore missing, following which, he filed a complaint with the judicial magistrate on June 8, seeking orders for a detailed enquiry.
Based on the court directions, the CID took up the investigations and found that Biliye had colluded with some companies and facilitated them to steal the ore, causing loss of several crores of rupees to the state.